Inside CAF: Epstein files raise questions over 2025 Africa Cup of Nations verdict

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sparked widespread debate after its appeals committee reversed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations verdict, awarding Morocco the title by default over Senegal.

The decision has raised questions about the influences behind the ruling and the internal pressures within the pan-African governing body.

Observers have highlighted a mysterious dossier, internally referred to as the “Epstein Files,” as a potential factor in the reversal.

The report, described as an external audit of CAF’s management, has been kept under strict confidentiality, with very few individuals reportedly granted access.

Among those in possession is Fouzi Lekjaa, the head of the Moroccan Football Federation, whose involvement has fueled speculation about the timing and motivation behind the appeals committee’s ruling.

Journalist Romain Molina has described a strict code of secrecy surrounding the audit, noting that no reproductions or images are allowed, underscoring the sensitivity of the material.

The sudden reversal by CAF, coming just days after the initial disciplinary decision, has led insiders to suggest that extraordinary pressure may have influenced the outcome.

“This decision jeopardizes the pan-African body to its very foundations,” one unnamed source noted. Within CAF, concerns are reportedly growing about the institution’s credibility and stability, with some describing the appeals verdict as a turning point that may have been swayed by external leverage rather than sporting merit.

The controversy surrounding the award of the 2025 AFCON trophy to Morocco continues to reverberate across the continent.

Analysts and football officials alike are now watching closely for any further developments or official clarifications, particularly in relation to the potential impact of the “Epstein Files” on future CAF decisions.